Ashfield scrap metal business trading for 114 years up for prestigious award
An Ashfield scrap metal business that has been trading for more than a century and helped build fighter planes in the Second World War has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
The family-run scrap metal recycling business Ben Woolley Scrap Merchant, based in Huthwaite, was established in 1911 by Joe Woolley and has now been shortlisted in the Independent Operator category of the National Recycling Awards.
Ben Woolley, a well known business personality in the Ashfield area, has been in the metal recycling business since the age of 15, and plays a key role in the sustainability fabric in the local area.
The company was founded in 1911 by Joe Woolley, Bens’ grandfather, a local trader known for his slogan, “I buy anything”.
In the early years, Joe collected everything from old brass and rabbit skins to jam jars and once had to buy a barrow full of snow to meet his business motto.
When the Second World War began, Joe’s son, Ben Woolley Sr, secured a Ministry of Supply licence and began gathering scrap aluminium pans to help produce fighter planes.
That patriotic effort marked the start of a long and proud connection to the local area's metal manufacturing industry.
Today, the business is led by 72-year-old Ben Woolley, who is still very active and took over at the age of 15, following his father’s death.
From collecting scrap with a horse and cart to running today’s more modern recycling operations, Ben has seen the industry evolve dramatically over nearly six decades.
Reflecting on the past almost 60 years since taking over the business, Mr Woolley said “It’s been really hard work but I’ve loved every minute.
“We’ve had good times and bad times, but you have to stick at it.
“I still get a buzz when customers are happy and the lorry is fully loaded. It's what gets me up in the mornings.
“This business is all I’ve ever known, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Despite its small team of just three - Ben, his son-in-law, and a driver - the company works with major engineering firms across the East Midlands.
Its customers include engineering firms which build parts for Airbus aeroplanes, with the waste collected and recycled at Ben Woolley Scrap Merchant.
Over the decades, they estimate to have recycled hundreds of thousands of tonnes of scrap metal, helping reduce waste and provide a valuable service for local manufacturing businesses.
Award winners will be announced at a glitzy, black-tie event at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London, on November 25.
The company will go up against Green Doors, S2S Group and Sherbourne Recycling in the Independent Operator (under 50 employees) category.
Speaking about the upcoming award ceremony Mr Woolley joked “I don't have much need for a dinner jacket and bow tie, in this business but I’m really excited to be nominated and to attend the event, supported by my family. It’ll be a great night.”
The National Recycling Awards are the largest awards ceremony for the UK recycling and resource management sector and an annual celebration of the industry’s innovation and achievements.